Did you know that Singapore has a flourishing street art community, despite its reputation for pristine streets and strict rules? This city has more to offer than meets the eye. There are lots of Insta-worthy urban artworks that take our breath away among our dazzling skyscrapers and gigantic metal cranes. There are still some things about our little city that might surprise you, from graffiti hiding in plain sight to pieces buried in the backstreets. Keep an eye out for five of the best street art around the next time you are in town.
Chinatown Complex
The walls and pillars of Chinatown Complex and its surroundings, which house Singapore’s largest hawker area and a wide market on its lower levels, have paintings depicting the history of Chinatown and the daily lives of Chinese immigrants residing in Singapore. You will find Belinda Low’s Samsui women mural in the middle of the bustling district. This vivid image honours the dedicated construction workers who contributed to the development of Singapore.
Haji Lane
Haji Lane, one of Singapore’s most well-known streets famous for its quirky shops, artisanal cafes, is also lined with murals by some of the top street artists in Singapore. It is the Insta-worthy murals that cover the walls of the shophouses near the Beach Road junction that draw the photographers. The futuristic pop-color characters of Colombian artist Didier Jaba Mathieu are prominent, but do not miss the alleyway that links to Arab Street which has works by Ceno2, Yok & Sheryo, and local collective ZincNiteCrew.
Little India
If you are looking for the best murals in Singapore, you cannot go wrong with a tour around the old districts. Take for example, Little India. Take a left after passing the landmark House of Tan Teng Niah and you will come across Psyfool’s Traditional Trades of Little India. This lovely piece of art reminds us of the people who formerly lived in this area like parrot astrologers, washermen, and other occupations that have now gone.
Tiong Bahru
Starting with the mural-covered walls of Tiong Bahru market which also houses some of the best hawker food around, the Tiong Bahru district is modern and trendy. The market is home to a popularly photographed mural that honours the area’s architecture, as well as Ernest Goh’s paintings of various beautiful goats and goldfish at the Tiong Bahru post office.
Aliwal Street
On the back walls of the Aliwal Arts Centre’s alleyway, you will find a constantly changing canvas of paintings. This is largely down to local team RSCLS, who share a studio space with several of Singapore’s most well-known performing arts groups at Aliwal Arts Centre. You might even see the artists at work on the long panels in the yard of the Sultan Arts Centre across the street, where graffiti shop The Blackbook Studio is located.
